KIDS FIRST! News

The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Jackson N. comments, “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is the final planned installment in the Mandalorian series, and it definitely goes out with a bang! The story continues the arc of the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal), but more interestingly, the arc of Grogu, whose storyline has been working toward him becoming self-sufficient.” Juliana S., adds, “I love the movie Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu! It captures the excitement and emotion that makes the Star Wars franchise so special and important to people. The film blends action, adventure, and heartfelt moments white continuing the story of Star Wars.” Isabella V. wraps it up with, “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is an extremely entertaining story with amazing acting, CGI, and music. Every part of the film works perfectly to create a fun and breathtaking movie. It is never boring and it easy to get immersed in the story.”

Star Wars: The Mandalorian And Grogu
by Jackson N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13 

(L-R) The Mandalorian and Grogu in Lucasfilm’s THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU. Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm. © 2026 Lucasfilm Ltd™. All Rights Reserved.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is the final planned installment in the Mandalorian series, and it definitely goes out with a bang! The story continues the arc of the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal), but more interestingly, the arc of Grogu, whose storyline has been working toward him becoming self-sufficient.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu finishes the storylines of the Mandalorian, Din-Djarin, and his Jedi turned apprentice turned adopted son, Din-Grogu. They are now working as independent contractors for the New Republic, when they are assigned a dangerous task for the siblings of Jabba the Hutt. This leads to a chaotic arena fight scene, a weaponless, underground fight in a lake with a giant snake, and so much more.

The story has amazing details throughout, most of which are involved with Grogu growing into his own man… or whatever species he is. There are many scenes in which we can see him almost becoming a smaller version of Yoda – from him meditating in the forest or walking with a cane to his next level capabilities with the force.

Grogu in Lucasfilm’s THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU. Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm. © 2026 Lucasfilm Ltd™. All Rights Reserved.

We also see the smaller, but still valuable, detail of the title page starting with “The Mandalorian,” then after a short pause bringing in “and Grogu.” This goes to show that, up until now, Grogu has always been living in the Mandalorian’s shadow, getting his fights fought for him. This is his moment to break out and show that he’s not just “the child.” Mando makes this passing of the baton clear when he says, “The old protect the young, and then the young protect the old.” As Mando spent all of the Mandalorian TV series protecting Grogu, now it’s time for Grogu to return the favor. The film has many hilarious moments, from Grogu repeatedly ramming a limp body into a hole that is not big enough, making an echoing clang sound each time, to the hilarious Anzellan dialogue scenes, with funny sounds of mixing English with Anzellan. Like most films in the Star Wars universe, the sets are truly spectacular. The designs made me feel like I was exploring a galaxy far, far away. From simple sets like the Mandalorian’s house, to the more complicated one of the Jabba Twins Tree base, all of the sets look truly natural and fun.

Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver) in Lucasfilm’s THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU. Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm. © 2026 Lucasfilm Ltd™. All Rights Reserved.

The film’s main message is that you need to grow up and be your own person someday. It includes themes of family, togetherness, and coming of age (even at age 50). Parents should be aware that it includes some fighting and non-bloody violence, but also has many good role models and aspirational figures. For example, Din-Djarin says to Rotta the Hutt (Jeremey Allan White), “Fighting’s not a sport, it’s a last resort.”

I give Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters on May 22, 2026. Make sure to check it out in IMAX for the full experience.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
By Juliana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) in Lucasfilm’s THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU. Photo by Francois Duhamel. © 2026 Lucasfilm Ltd™. All Rights Reserved.

I love the movie Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu! It captures the excitement and emotion that makes the Star Wars franchise so special and important to people. The film blends action, adventure, and heartfelt moments white continuing the story of Star Wars.

The storyline follows Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), also known as The Mandalorian, a bounty hunter who protects the galaxy with his friend, Grogu. They travel across the stars after being given a seemingly impossible task. Din must continue protecting Grogu while becoming involved in conflicts that could affect the future of the galaxy. The film introduces new allies and rivals while still focusing on the emotional bond between the two main characters.

I particularly enjoyed the acting in this film. Pedro Pascal provides an incredible performance as Din Djarin, or the Mandalorian, bringing emotion and depth to the character even behind his helmet. Even though he is often hidden behind a helmet, he is able to express intense emotions through his voice and body language.

(L-R) Grogu and The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) in Lucasfilm’s THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU. Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm. © 2026 Lucasfilm Ltd™. All Rights Reserved.

Pascal gives Djarin a strength that he carries with himself, feeling heroic and realistic. He captures the protectiveness that the Mandalorian has for Grogu while also having loneliness about himself.  Another actor who caught my eye is Jeremy Allen White, who plays Rotta the Hutt, the nephew of the evil Hutt empire rulers. He brings a new idea to the Hutt family, showing how they are not all set out to conquer the world. He layers his performance with emotions and vulnerability. Rotta is unpredictable and commands the attention of the audience throughout scenes. White brings a new fresh perspective on a previously established family and kinetic energy to Rotta that makes his scenes intense and memorable.

(L-R) Lord Janu (Jonny Coyne) and Hogsbreth (Matthew Willig) in Lucasfilm’s THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU. Photo by Francois Duhamel.. © 2026 Lucasfilm Ltd™. All Rights Reserved.

The film’s message is that family is not determined solely by blood. Grogu sticks by The Mandalorian’s side, as the latter protects the former. Rotta the Hutt strays from familial traditions, finding a new home with different people. Protecting the people you care about is one of the greatest responsibilities that one can have, and also one of the best.

I give Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu releases in theatres and IMAX on May 22, 2026.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
Isabella V., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is an extremely entertaining story with amazing acting, CGI, and music. Every part of the film works perfectly to create a fun and breathtaking movie. It is never boring and it easy to get immersed in the story.

Rotta the Hutt in Lucasfilm’s THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU. Photo by Francois Duhamel. © 2026 Lucasfilm Ltd™. All Rights Reserved.

The storyline follows a bounty hunter, The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal), and Grogu (David Acord) as, against their own morals; they are forced to help the Hut family find their kidnapped nephew, Rotta the Hut (Jeremy Allen White), in an attempt to find a new elusive target. However, they soon discover more secrets as they search for Rotta, encountering much more than they set out for.

The CGI in this movie is phenomenal; everything looks so realistic and adds a lot of suspense and sadness. It’s easy to forget that the CGI creatures aren’t actually there; making it easy to become immersed in the worlds the Mandalorian and Grogu visit.

Rotta the Hut is extremely impressive and moves fluidly throughout the film. This is helped by the outstanding cast; everyone shows extreme talent but especially Pedro Pascal as The Mandalorian.  He’s tasked with interacting with the CGI creatures, yet, thanks to his acting, it seems like he’s truly there with them. Another aspect of the film I really enjoyed is the sets — they are all unbelievably beautiful and unique. Every location has its own style, leading to each being memorable in its own way. The sets are so stunning, especially when they’re shown flying through the Outer Rim — it looks gorgeous. The film is also incredibly funny – there were multiple times when I laughed out loud. Every joke lands perfectly, both physical and verbal, thanks to the cast and the writers. I especially like Grogu — his physical comedy always got me to laugh.

(L-R) Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) and Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver) in Lucasfilm’s THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU. Photo by Justin Lubin. © 2026 Lucasfilm Ltd™. All Rights Reserved.

Another aspect of the film that I especially love is the music; it is gorgeous and enhances the tone of the various scenes. On the other hand, when the film is hopeful or the characters are winning a fight it’s very upbeat and adds to the feeling of relief. I found myself entertained the entire way through the film and even got invested in characters such as Rotta, and I wanted the best for them thanks to every aspect of the film.

The message of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is to take care of those around you, as you’ll never know how they’ll end up without you. Be forewarned that there is a lot of intense action, violence, and small amounts of gore.

I give Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu 5 out of 5 stars and recommend for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters on May 22, 2026.

We are thrilled to announce that our Entertainment Category is now fully loaded with rare opportunities for thrill-seekers, dance lovers, and collectors alike. Whether you want to skip the lines in Hollywood or experience the magic of the theater from the best seats in the house, these five items are ready for your bids:

• Universal Studios Hollywood Express Passes (2): Go straight to the front of the line! Experience the ultimate theme park day with Universal Express, including one-time express access to each ride, attraction, and seated show.
• Derek Hough: Symphony of Dance (2 Sets of Box Seats): See the Dancing with the Stars legend at the historic Wang Theatre in Boston . We are offering two separate sets of 2 box seats for an unparalleled view of this high-energy “Encore” tour.
• “Little Jeff” Professional Ventriloquist Figures (2): A dream for comedy fans! We have two professional-grade figures of Jeff Dunham’s “Little Jeff.” One is even signed by Jeff Dunham himself.

Bid Now on the Entertainment Collection (https://givebutter.com/c/kids-first-silent-auction-mhoskr/auction)

Every bid supports the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics, helping the next generation of entertainment journalists find their voice.

Dear Friends,

This week, we are thrilled to expand the KIDS FIRST! Online Auction with a curated selection for book lovers and art collectors alike. From the interactive nostalgia of a childhood classic to limited-edition photographic archives, these new additions are not to be missed.

Browse the New Book Collections Here: (https://givebutter.com/c/kids-first-silent-auction-mhoskr/auction)

The “Choose Your Own Adventures” Collection

We’ve added eleven distinct sets from the Choose Your Own Adventure series—the 4th best-selling children’s book franchise of all time.

Created by R.A. Montgomery and Edward Packard, these books became a cultural phenomenon by putting the reader in the driver’s seat. Whether you’re fighting dragons or exploring space, these sets are perfect for sparking a love of reading in 9- to 12-year-olds (and younger, there are now board books for ages 1 to 3).

1. The Connection: We are especially proud to feature these, as the company is currently led by Shannon Gilligan—widow of R.A. Montgomery and a longtime, dedicated KIDS FIRST! supporter.
2. Featured Titles: Look for classics like The Cave of Time, House of Danger, and The Abominable Snowman.

The Collector’s Corner: Southwestern Masterworks

From Clear Light Publishing, we are offering two rare, high-value volumes that capture the heart of New Mexico’s heritage:

1. Pueblo People: Ancient Traditions, Modern Lives by Marcia Keegan. A landmark, cloth-bound photographic archive. Keegan was the only photographer granted access to all 19 New Mexico Pueblos, making this the definitive visual record of our indigenous communities.
2. Old Father Story Teller (Limited Edition) Signed by the legendary Native American artist Pablita Velarde. This stunning 12.5” x 9” volume includes an exclusive art plate and over 20 full-color reproductions of Velarde’s original paintings.

Don’t Want to Wait? Use “Buy It Now!”

Skip the bidding war! Many of our most coveted books and fine art pieces feature a “Buy It Now” option. Secure your favorite treasure instantly and ensure your contribution goes directly toward our mission.

Our Impact: Every winning bid supports the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics and our international KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals. Your generosity empowers youth reporters to master media literacy and find their voices in the world of entertainment.

The Details:

• Bidding Is Open: More items are being added daily!
• Bidding Ends: June 15 at 11:59 p.m. MDT
• Our Mission: Championing the next generation of storytellers.

Log On & Start Bidding Now

Thank you for being part of our story. Happy bidding!

Evie Kaatz, Auction Chair; Ranny Levy, Evie’s Slave; Robin Greenberg, Nancy Kenney, Candace Carteen, Auction Elves

In this witty, new breed of mystery, George (Hugh Jackman) is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can’t possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Zoey F. comments, “The Sheep Detectives is a wonderful movie with a great theme and a great cast of actors. Its main strength is its simplicity and very cute sheep.”  Julie O. adds, “I love this film! The Sheep Detectives is a heartwarming murder mystery that keeps you guessing “who did it” right up to the end. I found myself laughing and crying! The storyline is intriguing and the characters act very suspicious, making it so much more interesting to watch.” Beatriz D. wraps it up with, “This is a humorous, but profound murder mystery that is very heartfelt…The story follows a flock of sheep who attempt to uncover the murder of their shepherd (Hugh Jackman) after he unexpectedly dies.” See their full reviews below, plus our talent interviews on and off the red carpet by Raasti and Zoey.

The Sheep Detectives
By Zoey F, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

The Sheep Detectives is a wonderful movie with a great theme and a great cast of actors. Its main strength is its simplicity and very cute sheep.

The plot follows George (Hugh Jackman) whose favorite pastime is reading murder mysteries to his beloved sheep. After sending several mysterious letters, George is found dead in his pasture. Just like the novels he has read them; the flock discovers this is indeed a murder. The self-proclaimed detective, Tim Derry (Nicholas Braun) is completely useless along with his unlikely friend, Elliot Mathews (Nicholas Galitzine) who is even less helpful. So, it’s up to the flock to solve the murder before the contents of his will are followed through.

The best thing about The Sheep Detectives is the utter simplicity of the movie. Sometimes films are trying way too hard to cater to a younger audience.

Chris O’Dowd as the voice of Mopple and Julia-Louis Dreyfus as the voice of Lily in THE SHEEP DETECTIVES. Photo credit: Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios © 2026 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.

They try to be relatable, and it seems that most of the budget is spent on celebrity cameos instead of good screenwriting. This movie completely shatters that pattern.

Where to even begin? Each character’s development makes complete sense. Lily (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is the leader of the sheep. She is confident but some of her values are misplaced. She often grapples with the fact that death exists and how heavy grief can feel. During the course of the film, she embraces community and learns to work through it with people she loves and trusts.

Mopple (Chris O’Dowd) is my personal favorite character. The other sheep have the power to forget any event – every other sheep except for him. Chris O’Dowd excels at capturing Mopple’s pain. He must carry all the painful memories that the rest of the flock chooses to forget because he cannot. O’Dowd adds some much-needed humor with this development, but he also adds just enough of the tragedy. Aside from the heartfelt moments in the movie, there is still a mystery.

I did feel that the movie sometimes focuses too much on ways to make me cry rather than the mystery itself. The main suspects quickly become the people named in George’s will. But not enough time is spent getting to know the other characters so we have no reason to suspect them or not. Because of that, when the mystery is solved, the culprit’s motive makes sense, but it is not as satisfying as it could have been.

This is just a small thing, and it did not stop me from enjoying the film. This movie is an emotional rollercoaster; it is guaranteed to make anyone who watches it laugh, cry and fall in love with CGI sheep.

(L to R) Julia-Louis Dreyfus as the voice of Lily, the sheep, and Hugh Jackman as George Hardy in THE SHEEP DETECTIVES. Photos: Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios © 2025 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.

The film has themes of belonging, family and the importance of treating others with respect. It also explores grief, loss, and coping strategies. The sheep often choose to forget when something gets too difficult or hurts too much. By the end, Lily and Mopple realize that forgetting is not healthy and it’s important to feel negative emotions, not just hide from them.

I give The Sheep Detectives 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to kids ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters May 8, 2026.

The Sheep Detectives
By Julie O. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

I love this film! The Sheep Detectives is a heartwarming murder mystery that keeps you guessing “who did it” right up to the end. I found myself laughing and crying! The storyline is intriguing and the characters act very suspicious, making it so much more interesting to watch.

(L to R) Tommy Birchall as the voice of The Winter Lamb and Hugh Jackman as George Hardy in THE SHEEP DETECTIVES. Photo credit: Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios © 2026 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.

The Sheep Detectives is based on the book Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story by Leonie Swann. It takes place in a fictional village, called Derrybrook, in England, and focuses on the lives of a herd of sheep, their shepherd (Hugh Jackman), and a few of the villagers. Two of the sheep Lily (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and Mopple (Chris O’Dowd) help the local policeman (Nicolas Braun) solve a murder.

The storyline is well developed and I enjoy the pace of the film. I especially love the humor that is used from beginning to end and the use of a riddle to help solve the murder. I like that the sheep and human characters have similar storylines. Each has to deal with death, different personalities, challenges, and love. The film explores what makes individuals unique and how coming together as a community is rewarding.

The voice actors for the sheep create characters that are easily relatable and complex. I love how they bring the sheep to life with sheep-like characteristics and well developed personalities. The human characters also have relatable personalities and demonstrate love, jealousy, ambition, and greed.

(L to R) Regina Hall as the voice of Cloud, Chris O’Dowd as the voice of Mopple and Julia-Louis Dreyfus as the voice of Lily in THE SHEEP DETECTIVES. Photes: Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios © 2026 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.

The sheep and humans go through several experiences that make their characters grow and become more mature. My favorite part is learning the back story behind the independent and protective sheep named Sebastian (Bryan Cranston). This was my favorite part because I like how the events he experienced in his past helped shape how he interacts with the herd.

The film’s message is that as long as we remember those we love, they are never truly gone. It also reminds us to be willing to accept help from unexpected places and how important it is to be kind and accepting of those who are different. Be aware that there are some alcohol references, mild violence between animals, and death.

I give The Sheep Detectives 5 out of 5 stars and I recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. The Sheep Detectives releases in theaters on May 8, 2026.

The Sheep Detectives
By Beatriz D., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

I really loved watching The Sheep Detectives! This is a humorous, but profound murder mystery that is very heartfelt.

The storyline follows a flock of sheep who attempt to uncover the murder of their shepherd (Hugh Jackman) after he unexpectedly dies. The sheep find ways to communicate to the police officer (Nicholas Braun) every time they find a clue, which made me laugh because the way they show the humans is very funny.

The movie is paced well and the plot develops with precision. I really love the animation of the sheep especially that of the lamb, which made me want a baby lamb because they are so cute.

Patrick Stewart as the voice of Sir Ritchfield in THE SHEEP DETECTIVES. Photo credit: Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios© 2026 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.

The actors’ performances are very well executed; each actor skillfully plays their part. My favorite character is Sebastian, voiced by Bryan Cranston, because he goes through so much and has so much knowledge and, even though it doesn’t seem like he cares for his friends, he would do anything for them. My favorite part is when the two main sheep, Lily (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and Mopple (Chris O’Dowd) attempt to cross the street for the first time, while being led by Sebastian (Bryan Cranston) , a more experienced sheep. This scene is so funny because Sebastian easily crosses the street while Lily and Mopple have a hard time even touching the concrete.

The film’s message is that you cannot judge a book by its cover. Be forewarned that there are death related topics discussed.

I give The Sheep Detectives 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters May 8, 2026.

Shop for a Cause: Turn Art Into Opportunity

The KIDS FIRST! Online Auction is officially live at midnight May 2! We’ve curated an exclusive collection of rare experiences and masterworks—and this year, we are bringing you closer to Hollywood than ever before.

The Spotlight: VIP Experiences with Mallory Lewis We are honored to feature exclusive opportunities with the legendary Mallory Lewis! Whether you are a fan of her iconic work with Lamb Chop or looking for industry insights, these experiences are the crown jewels of our catalog.

Don’t Want to Wait? Use “Buy It Now!” Found something you absolutely must have? Skip the bidding war! Many of our most coveted items—including fine art, jewelry, and select experiences—feature a “Buy It Now” option. Secure your favorite treasure instantly and support our mission today.

Your Impact: Every winning bid and “Buy It Now” purchase directly fuels the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics program. Your support empowers our youth reporters to master media literacy, build critical thinking skills, and find their voices in the world of entertainment.

Browse the catalog, share the link with your circle, and let’s make an impact together. Happy bidding!

Details:

Bidding Starts: Midnight, May 2, 2026 MDT

Bidding Ends: June 15 at 11:59 p.m. MDT

The Mission: Championing the next generation of storytellers.

Item #1 and #2: Spend an Private Day or a Zoom Call with Mallory Lewis and the world’s most beloved puppet, Lamb Chop.